RARE Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer ACTION!

[@Daver90s]

Very nice video. Thank you. My dad was a tail gunner in WWII in a PB4Y2. VP108 crew 13 Z490. He was on Peleilu, Iwo Jima and Tinian. Awarded the DFC.

[@AeroDinosaur]

I guess you are very lucky he survived! Glad to hear from people like you whose family members defended our freedom and all we cherish. Thanks a million for sharing and for checking us out (and the complement!). JA Reed.

[@pgannon1948]

Thanks! My Dad, Joe Gannon (RIP 1974) was a Navy AMM-2 and top-rear-turret gunner on a PB4Y-2 in the Pacific near the end of WWII. He told the tale of shooting holes in his plane's tail on a training exercise, and limping back to base. I remember thinking "Who would make a plane that could shoot its own tail?" Years later in the internet era I found the manual online and discovered that the machine gun had 2 modes of fire: Manual and Automatic, with the caution that in manual mode the gun did not lock-out when pointed at the tail. OOPS!😄

[@AeroDinosaur]

Yep, you can't put a 19-year-old in charge of the top turret without safeguards! That kind of oversight would not happen these days--although Consolidated was under extreme wartime pressure.

[@kellypainter7625]

I remember seeing these flying as fire bombers. Interesting background story I didn't know. Thanks!

[@AeroDinosaur]

You bet! Thanks for checking us out!

[@marks1638]

Remember seeing these in the early 90's at Indian Springs Auxiliary Airfield (now Creech Air Force Base) being used as Fire Bombers for fires raging in California along some other old aircraft including a PBY.

[@paulsilva3346]

125 was stored in Grass Valley, at the County Airpark. My playpen in 68, and 69... it's now in an Ohio air Museum.

[@JARREGULUS]

@@marks1638 Thanks for checking us out--glad we were able to reach you!

[@AeroDinosaur]

@@paulsilva3346 Thanks for the info! Seems most of them spent more time in storage than flying. Will add to my database. Thanks for checking us out!

[@NikeHM69]

Great video, thanks for the upload! This plane probably saved countless lives during its service, first in the coast guard and then as a fire bomber.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for watching and for the positive comment! Like you say it was a life saver for sure. J.A. Reed

[@scottsexton3260]

I was on a recent flight and as flight crews do at cruise we were discussing what we used to do before our current job. My first officer told he flew PB4Y’s. I was unsure of what that was, so on my layover I looked it up and found your video. Wow !!! What a great video and tons of great information. Thank you for taking the time to put it together and share it with us . I look forward to watching many more of your videos !

[@AeroDinosaur]

Scott, thanks a million for your great comments and interest in our PB4Y video and AeroDinosaur channel. Glad you found us! Feel free to contact us any time. J.A. Reed

[@kennethcrowther2277]

Wow that's a beautiful model aircraft collection! Love to see more of it.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Well, we have used, and continue to use our model aircraft and engines (over 200 of them) as "props" in many of our AeroDinosaur videos. I built them all over a span of 55 years, am proud of them, and am hopelessly addicted to them! Thanks once again for watching AeroDinosaur. J.A. Reed.

[@donalddodson7365]

Great episode. Thank you.

[@tomsreviews238]

My father was a waist gunner on these planes. Shot down 3 times into the Pacific ocean by the age of 18. Low level anti shipping and anti submarine warfare was a very dangerous operation.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for checking us out! I wasn't quite that grown up when I was 18--a very different world. People like your dad are why we spend so much time on overlooked history. JA Reed.

[@paulsilva3346]

18:50... God Bless the crew of PB4-2, #123 Rest in Peace. You Tube has their info. And wikipedia's too.!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Amen. Lots of info and video on that unfortunate incident. Thanks for watching!

[@danielchurchill9004]

Thanks my father VPB-111 Still kickin at 98 we were at Reno last year and the crew of this plain treated him like a king . I thank them!!!!

[@AeroDinosaur]

I'm glad your Dad is still hanging out! I also found that crew to be very courteous and engaging, and I'm glad they took a special interest in your Dad and VPB-111--no surprise to me at all. J.A. Reed

[@cliffbarnhouse4913]

We got to see 6302 at the 2023 Reno Air Races as a static display. Very cool. Just found your channel and I'm enjoying it.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for checking us out, Cliff. Glad you are enjoying my channel. In my earlier videos, viewers have complained about the music, but I think pure airplane people look beyond that, and we have since stopped that practice anyway. Please let me know what else we can do to improve! J.A. Reed

[@janewray-mccann2133]

Really love your passion, knowledge and wisdom, great stuff cobber. Regards Rory, Western Tasmania.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for watching and for your expression of appreciation--it totally makes our day to make a new friend! All my best, John.

[@craig4867]

A few of us Fighter Pilots caught this video and thoroughly enjoyed it! Those model airplanes, are superb!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for checking us out and I'm glad you appreciate our models--I love them to death! We are always glad to reach fighter pilots and, as I am sure you have heard before, thanks for your service! J.A. Reed

[@LetsFixItRight]

This is another truly outstanding historical video in a long line of great ones from AeroDinosaur. MUST WATCH!!!!!!!!

[@AeroDinosaur]

We learn it all from our mentor, "Let's Fix It Right"!

[@steveturner3999]

Great backstory and video. New subscriber here. As the Privateer was taxing after its airshow flight and before the engine sound comparison, I noted to my self the difference in sound. I had to laugh when you said ‘’just for the heck of it’’!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thank you, sir. Glad you found us--but more importantly you seem to appreciate our style! We welcome new subscribers with open arms. J.A. Reed.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Makes my day when you post a video… I always know it’s gonna be a good one and this is no exception. One of my favorite semi-obscure planes… well I guess they are all “ one of my favorites” .. thanks bro.👍🏻

[@Ni999]

Subscribed and recommending. I'd never heard of this plane before, thanks. 👍

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thank you much! Glad we were able so show you something different.

[@Ni999]

@@AeroDinosaur Most welcome! 🙂

[@howardsimpson489]

Thanks, more of these. Why did the flypast voice over talk about RR powered aircraft?

[@AuthenticNicholasMeyer]

I appreciate how thorough your breakdown is regarding the Privateers, as well as the book recommendations. I've been hunting around for info on this aircraft lately. A very beautiful and underrated machine methinks :)

[@AeroDinosaur]

Nick, thanks for the compliment, glad to have assisted with your research. I agree--the Privateer was badly under-appreciated!

[@CH-pv2rz]

Excellent video… Thank you for your approach acknowledging the intelligence of your viewers on the topics of these aircraft…

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thank you for watching--and your fine complement. Glad you seem to have enjoyed it!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Terrific story on the PB4Y-2 (and one), John! Thanks for sharing nice photos, recent video (love the sound!) and the history of these lesser-known WWII, U.S. Navy bombers. This reminds me of the story I heard of a PB4Y-2 out of Glenview NAS near Chicago in the early 1950s that accidentally landed at nearby, general aviation airport, Sky Harbor airport. The much shorter Sky Harbor runway required the Privateer to be stripped of as much weight as possible in order for it to be able to be flown out for the very short flight back to Glenview. I bet the embarrassed crew of that PB4Y-2 had a little explaining to do afterwards to the Navy "higher ups." Dan Uscian

[@AeroDinosaur]

Great to hear from you again Dan! Hope all is well. Thanks for checking out our new Privateer piece and sharing your story. I would rather have landed at that inadequate civil airport you mentioned rather than on the wrong military airbase--if the latter happened the errant plane would be whitewashed and "grafittied" to death and he'd have to go back to his home base like that. We lived in Lake Forest until I was 6 or so and I remember Convair twins, C-119's and Neptunes from there flying north overhead most likely from Glenview. Of course at the time I didn't realize what they actually were--but I never forgot the sounds and the shapes and later pieced things together. One of the more distinctive shapes I remember seemed like it was a Martin PBM Mariner, maybe Coast Guard as the last handful were flying around Lake Michigan way back then.

[@dieselscout]

My Father-In-Law flew in a Privateer toward the end of WW2 in the Western Pacific. They were based in Majuro, and then Kwajalein, probably patrolling for Japanese surface craft or submarines. He was the Radio and Radar counter-measure airman. I've learned since that some of his duties also included feeding ammo to the tail gunner, due to center-of-gravity issues in that aircraft.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for sharing your Father-In-Law's experience. We like to collect those stories. Glad he apparently survived--the vast ocean was probably the worst enemy for him and his fellow crew. Very rough duty. Also, thanks for checking us out! J.A.Reed

[@guaporeturns9472]

Would be interesting to hear from pilots who flew both Liberators and Privateers and hear comparisons of performance and handling.

[@JARREGULUS]

Guapo: I agree wholeheartedly. If I find someone who flew both, I'll get them on record!

[@danielstrains3674]

Thanks for doing this

[@AeroDinosaur]

You bet, Daniel! We certainly enjoyed posting it. I see you have a bit of flight experience. J.A. Reed

[@darrenct83]

My grandpa was a PB4Y-2 mechanic in the navy. 1948-1952. They flew these things through typhoons from his station in Guam. I hope to see this plane in flight someday.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for checking us out--I hope you see it fly too. It was amazing to film it. There is a remote possibility that one or two more could be resurrected, but don't bet on it! At least the videos out there are a distant "second best." J.A. Reed

[@rickmacpherson1413]

Very early in my sales career, I was in Northern Vancouver Island at the Port Hardy airport, I saw what was left of a PB4-2 that I believe crashed performing fire fighting duties. Still have photos somewhere that I am willing to share.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks, Rick, very much would be interested in seeing your photos--will be touching on P4Y-2's in future videos. Please don't go out of your way if you can't find them, but if you could access them easily we'd certainly be interested! --John.

[@garyjust.johnson1436]

You have a nice collection of model airplanes!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thank you. Can't help myself--building and collecting for 50 years.

[@beverlychmelik5504]

I was working for a part 135 airline in 1982 and our Chief Pilot had flown the PBN4Y in WW2. That summer and a few more, we had a PB4Y-2 from H&P flying out of FT Wainwright, AK. The last ime I saw one was at the H&P museum at Greybull, WY while I was on a tour with my Mom 3 years ago. An interesting airplane.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for watching and sharing your recollections! Unfortunately, not many of the original PB4Y crews left. Our subject was the first one I'd ever seen in my life, so for me, that was a real treat. JA Reed

[@sidewinder666666]

Nice to see this old bird, and the mention of the "Raiders" book by Alan Carey. He corresponded with Dad and others in his crew (VPB-109 - Crew 12) before the book was published and I think he and/or the crew may be mentioned in it. I have a copy somewhere, as well as a good companion book, "Genda's Blade" by Henry Sakaida, a historian. Dad was nose gun in "Blind Bomber" (1 x DFC, 2 x Air Medal) and on his 20th birthday Blind Bomber and Hogan's Goat tangled with 12 George's of Genda's squadron. I'm rather glad he survived. ;)

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for watching and glad to reach you. In the Carey book you mentioned, there are references to VPB-109 Crew 12 "Blind Bomber" with gunners listed. They were Rosell, Carter, King, Coleman, Newton, Tiller, Higgins, Smith, and Edson. Was your Dad one of those guys--I'm glad he survived too! Look like they shot down one Japanese plane, sank one ship, did several barrier patrols and did one Air-Sea rescue. Also recon around Chichi Jima--a horrible place where prisoners endured unspeakable torture and death. Tangling with Georges must not have been too pleasant either--a more advanced fighter than the Zero. JA Reed.

[@sidewinder666666]

@@AeroDinosaur Yes, Dad was AMM3C Higgins. That day on patrol they passed within radar range of Tsushima and were detected. 12 Georges were dispatched. Two were shot down, though. (Or one down, one "probable" even though two crew saw it go down.) Dad got credit for 1-1/2, the other 1/2 given to, I think, the top bow gunner of Hogan's Goat. But that other gunner later told dad he thought he missed and Dad got both. Either way, all of them were damned glad to be back home. And I *think* that was the mission where someone on the Goat was either killed or severely injured. I have Dad's VPB-109 Tour Book here somewhere. I think I'll look for it again. Some other details from that mission... although Hogan's Goat appeared to be the most damaged, Blind Bomber's main tail spar had been shot through about 95%, and mechanics later told the crew they were amazed it made it home. And the George that is in the Pensacola museum is the exact same George that dad knows he hit but didn't down, on that same mission. The other gunner thought he hit that plane once lightly as well. So... the Pensacola plane bullet holes were put there by either Dad or the other gunner, on 17 MAY 1945. Henry Sakaida confirmed this via IJN records (I think after his book was published) and matched the serial numbers to the mission records, although Pensacola's George is not in the correct paint scheme for the 433rd.

[@AeroDinosaur]

@@sidewinder666666Thanks for your reply and for identifying your Dad for me! Glad he was recognized in the book. Also, thanks for the additional information--I like to collect interesting stories and details that are not published. I have copied our correspondence and inserted it in my "Reluctant Raiders" book jacket as a souvenir.

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

After WWII the Navy did take several PB4Y-2's out of service and stored them. Some were placed back into service after the start of the Korean War. My father was in the last PB4Y-2 squadron to carry the Bat glide bombs in the Korean War. They also delivered PB4Y-2's from California to Taiwan (Formosa) for the CIA, to use as spy planes over Red China. The spy planes were manned by Taiwanese crews and several were shot down by the Chinese. The Taiwanese squadron was called, the Black Bat Squadron. My father's squadron started training with the P2V in the Summer of 1954, but since he was nearing his discharge, he wasn't involved with the P2V, as they were training his replacement.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks a lot for sharing- your interesting story about your dad and his PB4Y-2 squadron with the last Bat bombs. Also, I have an interesting book on the Black Bat Squadron and their aircraft lineage, by Chris Pocock/Clarence Fu, Schiffer Military Histories (2010) ISBN 978-0-7643-3513-6. If you don't have it already you will find it very interesting--I have re-read it several times over the last decade. Your dad was part of a brave group for sure. J.A. Reed

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

@@AeroDinosaur Thanks. I will get a copy of the book. I live near the National Air and Space Museum in Virginia. They have a large aviation book shop. I'll call them and see if they have it. When my father was still with us, the museum actually had a Bat glide bomb display and we went there together and he pointed it out to me. They change the displays all of the time though, so it may not be shown right now. The Navy offered my father a promotion if he renewed his enlistment. He declined, but on his 25th birthday in 1954, they gave him another promotion anyway. He went to St. Louis and got a copy of his Navy record and gave it to me. He used his GI Bill to get an engineering degree and became a civilian research scientist for the US Navy. He mostly designed RADAR systems and worked on designing one of the two RADAR systems for Skylab and worked on designing the RADAR system for AWACS. I still have his AWACS flight coveralls and AWACS patches.

[@checkpointcharlie1788]

I love the models! What an incredible cool collection and theme; I want to have a shelf like that too! Am I correct in that some of them are 1/72 and some are 1/144 scale? I sure would love to see a whole video on the models! Thanks for the videos; very interesting detail on the engines. My friend's dad was a B-24 pilot with the 448th BG flying out of Seething; he flew thirty missions from May '44 to Sept. '44, some of them to Berlin. Seven months after he'd completed his tour, his plane - or the plane that he had flown most of the time - the 'Miss B-Hav'n' was shot down by rocket-firing Me-262's, in the same attack that got 'Red Bow' and 'Trouble-in-Mind'. 'Red Bow' is that famous picture of the 448th Liberator going down with the tail blown off and trailing debris. The Me-262 then streaked on through the 446th chased by two Mustangs!

[@AeroDinosaur]

I'm glad you like the models, I do too! I built them over a 50-year period. You are correct, mostly 1/72 and 1/144, but some 1/48. We regularly feature them as "props" in our videos and will continue to do so. Your idea of a special feature dedicated to the models is a good one, so we'll think about putting something together. Glad you like our videos too, and thanks for the background on your dad's friend. When I was growing up my dad had a close friend who flew PB4Y-1s over the Bay of Biscay during WWII hunting for U-Boats. His plane was shot up by a Ju-88 but he got it back safely--luckily not a scratch on any of the crew. J.A. Reed

[@bdr3125]

I flew in this aircraft when I was around 10 when it was an airtanker,my father was a pilot for the N.C Forrestry Service, the state of N.C. would contract 3 larger airtankers from the mid-west every year,mostly from Hawkins and Powers,I have lots of pictures with this aircraft,I played in it everytime I was there,and since things were alot easier in the late 70's early 80's,I could go with my dad everytime I was out of school and went almost every weekend during the fire season, because my dad and most of the other pilots only flew for the Forrest Service during fire season, because the state was to cheap to keep more than 2 or 3 pilots year round, my dad and most of the other pilots were also crop dusters,and thats what they did after the fire season,this aircraft only came for a couple of years then they started sending C-54's-DC-4's,I still have all my dads old pictures they used to always take and have several of this aircraft sitting on the flight line

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thank you sir for sharing your unique experiences with a unique aircraft and a unique dad! We always like to reach people with firsthand experience like that! All my best! J.A. Reed

[@pat8988]

That R2600 is one fine sounding engine!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Quite different from all the others, isn't it! I was never able to figure out why.

[@markbentley4800]

A fiend of mine, the pilot, was killed in Mcgrath, Alaska on July 22, 1968 flying a Privateer N7974A for then Avery Aviation(under Hawkins and Powers management). There were two pilots and 2 unauthorized people on board. All perished.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Sorry to hear that. I think they were still using the original -1830s back then before the R-2600 STC mods. Any way you look at it, it was a dangerous business with a dangerous airplane! Thanks for watching! JA Reed.

[@IONBEYGYFTAPILAN]

Ist my favoret bomber

[@danf321]

What was the reason for converting to a single large tail vs. the twin tails of the Liberator?

[@AeroDinosaur]

The original twin tails caused uncomfortable "dutch roll" instability at lower speeds such as during approach--a big complaint of B-24/PB4Y-1 pilots. In crosswinds, it really became difficult for them to track the runway center line. The longer fuselage of the PB4Y-2 would have made this situation worse. It is my understanding that the big single vertical fin solved that problem with the PB4Y-2 Privateer. Thanks for watching! J.A. Reed

[@eveningstarnm3107]

Was there a shot of the cockpit in that video? I may have missed it. Is there any video anywhere of the interior? How about takeoff and landing videos from behind the pilot? I'll appreciate any links.

[@AeroDinosaur]

I am aware of one that has some cockpit footage--will add to our Liberator/Privateer playlist for you to access. I don't think GossHawk is certificated to take passengers or "nonessential crew".

[@Chuck_Carolina]

That plane is a Beast!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Tell me about it--a monster up close! Thanks for watching.

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

I watched this video, and will subscribe to your channel, as I like what you presented. :) I do have a question about this particular aircraft design, which I hope AeroDinosaur or anyone else can answer. I am just curious, as I don't know much about the B-24 and related designs. My question: Was the single tail considered an improvement over the twin tail design of the B-24? In what way improved?

[@AeroDinosaur]

Steadman: Thanks for watching and subscribing. I hear different stories about why Consolidated went to a single tail. It is my understanding that the nose of the twin-tail B-24 (PB4Y-1) tended to "hunt" or yaw side to side or otherwise "drift" in certain configurations, especially when going slow on final approach. With the stretched fuselage of the PB2Y-2 Consolidated decided to go with the single, tall vertical to dampen/eliminate this tendency (and to simplify control linkages). I would be glad to hear from anybody who can elaborate on this--or correct--my explanation. J.A. Reed

[@michaelmartinez1345]

This was a fantastic video!!! This 'Poor Man's Display' of the very accurate scale models of the various large reciprocating engined planes, was RICH in explanation of the differences of these various planes. Until now, I did not realize an STC was authorized for the Wright 1,820 to the P&W 2,600 conversions for these airframes. I'm wondering if the original engine mount from the 1820 was used for the 2600 , or the 2600 engine and mount was used on the PB4Y airframe for the STC? For about 6-years, I worked at the 'Litchfield Road' (GYR) airport at an MRO, as an A&P tech. One of the hangers there, did the conventional Cruciform empenage conversions to the B-24's back during WW2.... It was always a curious thought that I had, as to WHY the NAVY had this done to these planes... More range? Maybe a better field of view and more sweep for the waist gunners? Sadly, this PB4Y-2 featured on this video, is the very last one in existence... It seems criminal how so many of these amazing planes were brutally savaged at this same location (GYR) , where these planes were converted to PB4Y-2 ASW and Anti-Shipping assets.... The video of the high speed fly-by and the climb-out we're absolutely AWESOME !!!!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Michael--thanks for the good words! Glad you enjoyed it. In re-engining the PB4Y-2 to R-2600's they used entire B-25 powerplant packages containing the R-2600's--not just the engines themselves. They took the whole package right off a B-25 and re-mounted more-or-less directly onto the PB4Y-2. So, the engine mounts were truly different (more robust). The stretch was probably due to the addition of a radar operator and extra dorsal gun turret, and possibly for more ammo storage as the number of 50 caliber guns increased. Agreed, expensive as it is to operate it is sad that only one still flies, but at least we caught that one! I think there may be enough spares to get 1 or 2 more in the air--but it's all money and priorities!

[@michaelmartinez1345]

@@AeroDinosaur Thanks for the very knowledgeable and interesting reply!!! So the B-25's is where these packages came-from... Those were great planes as well... It breaks the hearts of many aviation enthusiasts who make decisions that are based on historical value, instead of greedy profiteers - that so many owner/operators of these amazing planes have become.... The history is so important of what was done in the past to attain and maintain FREEDOM... You know, when going through various sources of information of things in the internet, like Aircraft, Space exploration, Large Shipping, Automobiles & Trucks and the companies that made them, Earth 🌎 moving equipment, Firearms, almost always - I trigger a link to military activities that are/were closely related to these type of things... And yes, I want to and often do view them... But some of the most heart felt reactions, are from public service announcements... One was called 'We Are Americans' , and it is hosted by the late-great President, Ronald Reagan... That got tears to come out of my eyes... Another was a veterans memorial called 'I Fought For You' , and that one also got me to soak some paper towels with my tears, to enable me to wipe my windshield on my truck... Thank You for the Video!!!!

[@AeroDinosaur]

@@michaelmartinez1345 I see you are a hardware enthusiast like me--I like all of the above and also railroad history and equipment. However, I'm not quite as deep into the dirt with all those as I am with airplanes. Like you this hardware interest is wrapped by a broader feeling of Americanism, freedom and patriotism. Again, glad you liked our video

[@michaelmartinez1345]

@@AeroDinosaur Yes!!! That would be an accurate description of what I am enthusiastic about... 'A hardware enthusiast!!! . It is amazing how so many things were created to help a way of life to survive... People often seem to appreciate a certain way of life more, when they see those who have to live without certain basic things... Because of this, they support and embrace the things that are necessary to help freedom and happiness persist. So yes, the hardware to be able to persist in that way of life is important, and it should always be remembered and appreciated. Thanks again for that presentation , sincerely , Mike...

[@williamsullivan479]

A few year's back , on a bike ride, I'm sure I saw several of these aircraft out west ,maybe Montana.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Well, if you were riding in Montana, I am sure you did. More firebombers per square mile out there than anywhere!

[@williamsullivan479]

@AeroDinosaur it was gray bull, that was actually in the story, I didn't read it all. Man I wish those pictures were on this phone.

[@AeroDinosaur]

@@williamsullivan479 If you were at Greybull, you saw Privateers for sure!

[@Cytogreg]

Thank you so much for this video! My grandfather flew a special U.S. Navy, one of three, PB4y (RY-1)'s used to transport VIP's to, from and around the Pacific theater during the war. I have only one picture of my grandfather with Admiral Nimitz in front of his RY-1. However it shows only a portion of the nose gear and fuselage. l would dearly love to find a picture showing the whole aircraft and any further information about the three U.S.Navy "RY-1"s.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thanks for watching and your positive comment! I don't think I've ever seen a photo of an RY-1, but if I find one will let you know so I can send it to you.

[@The_Klystron7]

does anyone know where i can get information on Squadron 111 ?

[@AeroDinosaur]

The squadron is described on page 171 of the book Convair PB4Y-2 Privateer by Nick Veronico and Steve Ginter. Also on Page 97 of Consolidated-Vultee PB4Y-2 Privateer by Alan Carey. Started out in 1943 as VPB-111 and subsequent redesignations included VP-111/VO-HL-11 and VP-21. Don't know when or if it was disestablished. Saw WWII action in the South Pacific.

[@JamesFolkers]

The last operational one of these flew over my house yesterday…

[@AeroDinosaur]

I wonder where it was going. At the time we filmed the subject PB4Y-2 there was only one other "near" airworthy example.

[@JamesFolkers]

@@AeroDinosaur Probably back to its base in Southern AZ. I'm in Northern AZ.

[@firepilotfilson3881]

I flew 4y’s for H&P Gotta type rating and thousands of hours. Retired Staying on/in the ground from now on

[@AeroDinosaur]

That is for sure the most dangerous civilian flying occupation in existence. While my flying career was much more limited than yours, I'm staying on the ground from now on too--my retired corporate pilot friends also share that sentiment! Thank you for sharing--I have followed H&P for years and am honored to hear from a real pilot from there. JA Reed.

[@BrettLloyd-z5x]

Ww2 planes are my favorite

[@AeroDinosaur]

Can't argue with that! Thanks for watching. JA Reed

[@BrettLloyd-z5x]

@AeroDinosaur my grandpa George lloyd was a us air force crew chief back in 1950s, he worked or serviced planes like p51 mustangs, etc, that's why I'm into ww2 planes so much, im a buff and expert

[@timothyh.champion8885]

I am sorry my friend, Dave Johnstone, did not live to enjoy this excellent treatment of his beloved Privateer and contribute his story of keeping his ship aloft (with a seized and burning turbocharger) together over the middle of the Pacific.

[@Perktube1]

Those engine swaps weren't quick. I mean, the mounting bolts didn't just fit, did they?

[@JARREGULUS]

You are right--the powerplant swaps were not "quick." First, modifications had to be made on the PB4Y-2 mountings to accept the B-25 power installation. I called it a "QEC" for convenience because the B-25 power packages came as one unit, but as you say I think actual engine swaps of those units on the PB4Y-2 were not that quick. Thanks for watching!

[@d8ford]

The US Coast Guard was still operating these in the early 60's doing weather patrols out of Argentia Newfoundland.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Did not know that, thanks for the info! Written sources say that they USCG Privateers were retired in 1958 but as we know these sources are not always right. Will get your comment in my database.

[@d8ford]

@@AeroDinosaur I know this for certain because my father was stationed there and flew on them, which I also personally saw.

[@AeroDinosaur]

@@d8ford That is all the evidence we need! Amazing they went into the '60's. I will make a note in our written description.

[@d8ford]

@@AeroDinosaur I have to correct my statement and apologize. It seems my memory is not as clear as I thought. After double checking with my father I confirmed that the last year these were in fact flown was 1958, he was actual one of the crew that few the last of them from California to the bone yard. So, I had my dates off by a few years.

[@AeroDinosaur]

@@d8ford No problem! Thanks for catching that and getting back to me--I was about to put your date info in the written description. I have also found my dates and times get mixed up on numerous occasions these days! J.A. Reed

[@Disques13Swing]

Fine As A Porcupine!!!!!!! Convair Forever!!!!!!!

[@HHIMgary]

Oh ya... the sound is undisputably greater in the pby4

[@AeroDinosaur]

I agree--the stock R-1830-94s sound tame by comparison. J.A. Reed

[@RDEnduro]

There is a Connie like in the beginning of the video on display outside Laguardia! Or there was last time I was there anyway. Edit* great models wow

[@AeroDinosaur]

Yep that Starliner Constellation was put on display there at Laguardia a few years ago. Haven't been there to visit yet, but will when I get a chance!

[@williamallencrowder361]

I am a poor man too. This sounds perfect for me

[@AeroDinosaur]

Poor but we got everything we need! Thanks!

[@bennybenitez2461]

If you dust them you bust them.

[@AeroDinosaur]

Yep!

[@nigelsmith7366]

Such a shame not original nose or engines

[@AeroDinosaur]

I agree, at least there are two Liberators still flying in original configuration. The subject aircraft in this video was modified with the larger engines and the modified nose years ago for a functional purpose only--firefighting-while providing greater odds (more power, better visibility) for crew survival in that environment.

[@EnigmaWector]

Nothing poore about your knowlege sir!

[@AeroDinosaur]

Thank you! I am poor because I don't own a hangar full of real aircraft! Thanks for watching. J.A. Reed